Wire-splicer.



W. L. IVIUiR.

WIRE SPLICER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3. \916.

Patented Jan. 9, 191? i, f ww, w

atfouuu g WILLIAM L. MUIR, OF SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

WIRE-SPLICER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 191?.

Application filed April 3, 1916. Serial No. 88,451.

To, alliwhom it may concern Be it known thatI, WILLIAM L. MUIR, a

citizen of the United States, residing at v South vMilwaukee, county of Milwaukee, and

' tion with a wire splicing tubeormember to twist the same afterthe ends of the strands of wire have been inserted therein.

In the drawings :Figure 1 isa plan view of my improvedwire splicing tool. Fig. 2 is an end elevation showing the end which carries the rigid thumb pieces. Fig. 3 is a view of the opposite end. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the parts in positionfor inserting the wire. Fig. 5 is a view of a connecting member in which the wire is inserted preparatory to the splicing operation of the tool. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the wire receiving ends of my improved tool, the intermediate portions being broken away and the twisted or spliced strands of wire being illustrated in position.

Like parts are identified by the same reference numerals throughout the several views.

A cylindrical barrel 1, having a longitudinal slot or opening 2 along one side, is provided at one end with a set of projecting thumb-pieces 3. The barrel 1 is partially filled between the thumb pieces 3 leaving, however, a deep groove 5 adapted to receive and hold a set of splicing tubes 6 against rotation, the width of the groove 5 being but slightly in excess of the diameter of the splicing member tubes 6. The opposite end of the barrel 1 is provided with an outwardly extending bead 10 which serves as a swivel-head, and a rotary member 11, provided with projecting thumb-pieces 12, is also provided with a split sleeve or segment 13 which partially encircles the barrel 1 and is prevented from slipping ofi from the end of the barrel by the swivel-head 10. The margins of the sleeve 13 are sufficiently separated to permit the manipulation of the wire and the splicing tubes 6 into the barrel 1 through the slot 2, when the sleeve segment 13 is adjusted with the space between its ends in registry with said slot 2.

The member 11 comprises a cylindrical hub which extends inwardly across the ends of the barrel. It is provided with a deep groove or notch 15 corresponding in form to the notch 5 in the other end or head of the barrel 1. When this groove or notch 15 is alined with the slot 2 and with the groove 5 it is obvious that strands of wire may be inserted in the barrel from one side by merely placing them in the grooves 5 and 15 and allowing them to pass through the slot 2 to the position illustrated in Fig. 6.

In use the strands of wire to be spliced are inserted respectively in the tubes constituting the connecting member 6. These connecting members are not claimed herein as they are in common use for splicing wire, and, comprise merely a set of W1I'Q'1'6C61Vlng 3 tubes secured together along one side and having a form in cross section resembling a figure 8. One strand 17 of wire is inserted in one of these tubes, and the other strand 18 is inserted in the other tube, whereupon the connecting member 6 is placed in the barrel 1 through the slot 2 with the tubes resting in a superposed position in the groove 5, member 11 being rotated to receive the other end portion of the connecting member 6 in the groove 15. By then rotating member 11, the connecting member 6, with the engaged strands of wire, may be quickly twisted into the form illustrated in Fig. 6, since the open barrel 1 allows the wire and the member 6 to freely rotate while the barrel itself is held from rotation by the hand of the operator engaging thumb-pieces 3. The portion of the member 6 which is engaged in the groove 5 will, of course, be held against rotation. The rotary movement originates from the other end and is applied to the wire through the member 11 from the thumb-pieces or ears 12. If desired, the thumb-pieces or cars 12 may be held stationary and the thumbpieces 3, together with the barrel, may be rotated with the same effect upon the wire. It will be understood, however, that the thumb-pieces 3 will ordinarily be held in the left hand and the thumb-pieces 12 in the right hand, and that it will be more convenient to rotate the latter.

Owing to the fact that the barrel 1 is tubular in form and the only projections upon the tool are the thumb-pieces or ears 3 and 12, it is obvious that the tool may easily be carried in the pocket of the user ready for immediate use as required.

I claim j 1. A wire splicing tool comprising a tubular barrel having a longitudinalslot along one side, and provided with projections at one end, whereby the barrel may beheld against rotation, a swiveled member mounted upon the other end of the barrel and pro vided with operating projections, means con nected with the swiveled member for holding strands of wire in parallel relation therein, and means connected with the opposite end of the barrel for holding strands of wire in parallel relation therein, said barrel and swiveled member being adapted to allow strands of wire to extend therethrough longitudinally in such parallel relation.

2. A wire splicing tool comprising a cylindrical barrel provided with a Wire-receiving slot along one side thereof, having means for engaging and holding strands of wire or a wire connecting member in fixed relation to the barrel, a swiveled head mounted upon the other end of the barrel, and having a portion projecting longitudi- Gopies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, i

nally from the barrel and provided with means for holding strands of wire in fixed relation to each other and to the swivel head with the intermediate portions of the strands of wire free to rotate within the barrel.

'3. A wire splicing tool comprising a cylindrical barrel having a slot along one side to be adjusted in axial alinement with the barrel and with the groove in said barrel head. 7 Y

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses:

LEVERETT C. WHEELER, IRMA D, BREMER.

Washington, D O.

WILLIAM L. MUIR. 

